US Gulf:
The NOLA ammonium sulfate market remained at $270-$275/st FOB for the last indications, though no new business was reported during the week.
US Imports:
Ammonium sulfate imports rose 149.1% in July-August, to 197,913 st from the prior-year 79,458 st. Imports were up 357.3% in August, to 161,433 st from the year-ago 35,303 st. Imports from Canada were reported at 88,838 st for July-August, ahead of 75,470 st from Russia and 30,495 st from Belgium.
US Exports:
Ammonium sulfate exports moved 32.7% lower in August, to 61,913 st from 91,949 st in August 2022. July-August totals fell 14.3% year-over-year, to 98,190 st from 114,577 st. Exports to Peru totaled 33,545 st in July-August, ahead of 15,810 st to Honduras. The Dominican Republic took 12,942 st.
Eastern Cornbelt:
The granular ammonium sulfate market strengthened to $300-$335/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, depending on location, with low confirmed out of spot Mississippi River terminals. The Cincinnati market remained in the $320-$335/st FOB range at mid-month, while offers FOB LaSalle, Ill., were quoted at the $315/st level.
Western Cornbelt:
The granular ammonium sulfate market firmed to $300-$325/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low reported at St. Louis. Sources confirmed recent offers FOB Dubuque, Iowa, at the $315/st level.
California:
The ammonium sulfate market in California was unchanged at $320-$330/st FOB and $350/st DEL for the latest offers, with the high confirmed at Helm and the low reported at Lathrop, Woodland, and Richvale.
Pacific Northwest:
The ammonium sulfate market was steady at $285-$325/st FOB or DEL in the Pacific Northwest, with the low reported for standard grade and the high for granular.
Western Canada:
Ammonium sulfate prices in Western Canada were up slightly, to C$480-$495/mt DEL for October-December, up from the prior C$475-$480/mt DEL level. Postings were reported as high as C$505/mt DEL in the region.
China:
The domestic price of ammonium sulfate at China has dropped by about $4/mt, sources said, moving the export price into the upper-$160s/mt FOB for caprolactam grade product.
The slight dip in pricing was unsurprising to both buyers and sellers. Sources said the drop in global urea prices, combined with limited demand from Southeast Asia and steady prices in Brazil, led to the decline.
South Korea:
Ammonium sulfate exports fell 32% in January-September, Trade Data Monitor reported, to 130,000 mt from 191,000 mt. The US led recipients with 53,000 mt, followed by New Zealand with 42,000 mt.
Third-quarter exports were put at 46,000 mt, below the 65,000 mt shipped in July-September 2022. September exports were counted at 7,000 mt, compared with 364 mt in July 2022.
Brazil:
Landed ammonium sulfate prices in Brazil edged down to $210-$220/mt CFR, players noted. Pricing at Rondonópolis faced upward pressure, however, with limited availability reportedly driving the market to a $365/mt FOB ex-warehouse high during the week. Some reported offers as low as $325/mt FOB, up $5/mt from the last week’s floor.